Kuala Lumpur, Sep 14 (IANS): The Malaysian government is set to spend an additional 80 million ringgit ($18 million) for promotional activities to boost tourism in the country.

The activities are for promotions in the ASEAN region, China and India, Prime Minister Najib Tun Razak said on Monday.

The prime minister also announced two iconic tourism projects, the Malaysian Star reported.

Phase one of the integrated development of Desaru Coast Destination Resort will consist of a hotel and theme park and will cost 4.5 billion ringgit.

To enhance Muzium Negara, National Monument and Perdana Lake Gardens and to improve connectivity with Kuala Lumpur Central, the government will implement a project costing 1.1 billion ringgit.

This will be through a public-private partnerships from 2016 with a facilitation fund of 220 million ringgit.

Najib also announced visa exemptions for group tourists from China staring from October 1 to March 31, 2016.